confession

[sunset30]

Not sure how to put this, but HOPING that you guys will be able to help me out too, with loads of suggestions and ideas.

As you know, we are getting married in WDW in OCt 2010 (STILL anxious about teh date BTW)

DP and I are very excited for our WDW wedding, and being at Disney and seeing everything. We will be there for two weeks, with our DS, currently 2 and a half, who is ALREADY aware that he will "meet Mickey Mouse"

Here's the thing though....ALL 3 of us are Disney Virgins! We have never been! It's a kind of wish fulfillment for us, we never went as kids, and always wanted to, so when it came time to pick something special and about us for our wedding that our son would love to, it seemed like a great choice!

We want to book a few character meals (we have tested out ds and he seems OK with larger than life characters so...) but apparently we have to do that direct with Disney - our travel agent said we can do it by e mail - any ideas if that is possible, and when we need to book?

We have a MASSIVE guide book and don't want to miss anything if possible, but we know we will need "down time" too.

Thing is, I have been reading the board and noticing that EVERYONE has been LOADS of times. I am sure it will be extra special to get married there on our first trip, but thought I'd ask for any extra tips?
Lx

 

[PrincessShea]

You have sooooo much time to research and plan. I would start with a basic guide book--the unofficial guide, passporter, etc. Read the entire thing. I would also make sure to browse the forums everyday and try and pick up some new things. Don't try and bite off more than you can chew. You cannot learn how to do a Disney vacation after reading one post. It's going to take a while.

Firstly, as far as character meals, you cannot book them until 90 days out. You can do it over the phone or online. So you have basically a year to start researching the places you want to eat. The restaurant section of this board is a great resource. The menus and information at allears.net is as well.

And I will tell you now, even with two weeks, it is impossible to 'do everything.' The worst thing you can do is overplan and burn yourself out especially with a little kid. So start prioritizing and figuring how what is most important to you.

Get the basics down first and then when its gets closer to your trip, focus on asking about the specifics. So much can change in over a year...if we tell you something now it could be gone or changed by then.

 

[sunset30]

Thanks!
Our guide book seems to cover most things and it is also GREAT on kids stuff and the suggestion to not try to do everything but build in plenty of down time, at the resort pool or whatever. we chose our hotel based on the guide book (we are staying at WL - the holiday bit is all booked!) and we have already worked out some things that we absolutely DO NOT want to miss, and some that we would be able to skip if we needed more down time.

I have just been reading people's trip journals and finding out so much stuff and realising just HOW many times people can go there and still find new things to see abd do!

Lx

 

[BecBennett]

You'll be fine!

I've been to Disneyland 3 times, but never to Disney World. I'm not worried, because there's so much information out there to help out.

Keep reading trip reports, because they're awesome and give you great ideas, and once you've seen enough pictures, you'll feel like you've already been. Then you'll get there, and all of a sudden the pictures all make sense!

 

[daisygirl902]

You can view menus for all WDW restaurants at allears.net. This is a great way to plan your dining! I have been many times, and still read menus obsessively while trying to plan our trips! Your best bet is to research, and don't be afraid to ask questions on these boards - there are no dumb questions as those of us unnoficial Dis Experts love to share tips on meals, park planning, etc etc etc...Most of all relish every bit - the planning is all a part of the fun for a Dis Trip!!

Congrats on your choice to become a DisBride

 

[Wish on a Star]

When we get married in October, my DFi is going to be a first timer too! Because there are a million things to see and do, we made a list. We grouped attractions into 3 categories "Must See", "Want to See", "Maybe Next Time". If you do this park by park, it really focuses things and makes it less overwhelming. You might wake up and say "We only have to do 5 things today" and just enjoy it.

Also, I love to go back to the hotel in those hot afternoon hours. Give the whole family time to nap, and rest and even cool off in the pool!

 

[Tamipokeydog]

Just accept that you won't "see it all." The worst thing you can do is try. Then you are so tired that you don't see anything! Like every one said try allears.net that one really helped me.

 

[lurkyloo]

We want to book a few character meals (we have tested out ds and he seems OK with larger than life characters so...) but apparently we have to do that direct with Disney - our travel agent said we can do it by e mail - any ideas if that is possible, and when we need to book?

You can now make dining reservations online (on the website, not by email), including character meals, beginning 90 days before your arrival date. Since you are staying onsite, you will be able to book up to 10 days of reservations after your arrival date at that first 90-day mark, instead of calling on each date's 90-day mark.

More information is available here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2205963